Today would have been my mom's 89th birthday. I've mentioned her in several blogs, and will no doubt do so in several more to come.
Sometime in the mid-1970's, I came across a poem by e.e. cummings that seemed to have been written for my mother. I included it in a Mother's Day gift I made for her - a scrapbook consisting of photographs from her life and our childhood along with poems and lyrics to songs she was fond of. I had thought of reading this poem at her funeral in 2000, but somehow it didn't happen and so today I want to share it with you as a way to honor her:
If There Are Any Heavens
If there are any heavens my mother will (all by herself) have
one. It will not be a pansy heaven nor
a fragile heaven of lilies-of-the-valley but
it will be a heaven of blackred roses
my father will be (deep like a rose
tall like a rose)
standing near my
(swaying over her
silent)
with eyes which are really petals and see
nothing with the face of a poet really which
is a flower and not a face with
hands
which whisper
This is my beloved my
(suddenly in sunlight
he will bow,
and the whole garden will bow)
~ e.e. cummings
That is wonderful. I miss my mom every day, especially on her birthday or Mother's day...I feel your sorrow.
ReplyDeletexoxox
How very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA poignant and wonderful remembrance of your mother; nice to see her standing there in the garden.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute, Teresa. Your mother is beautiful, and I'm sure she'd be so proud and touched by this! Well done!
ReplyDeleteA Big Thank You to each of you for your kind and thoughtful comments.
ReplyDeleteTthat is beautiful, and I love the photo of your mother.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote a while ago about Whitefish, and now I find that I'll be spending a week at Star Lake, just south of Lower Whitefish. Have never been in that area but am really looking forward to fishing, sight-seeing, bird-watching, relaxing, and just listening to nature's sounds.
Hi Nancy! I was going to shorten your moniker to BOG, but it just didn't seem right :) Thanks for visiting and have a great week on Star! It sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful, Teresa. Beautiful photo of your mother, also. I can't imagine your pain from such a significant loss in your life, but I admire the way you can find ways to treasure your mother's memory.
ReplyDeleteAfter spending the last 4 days with my mom and realizing how little time we have left together, I've decided that I really need to live closer to her in the last days. I will be blogging about it soon.
*hugs*
Thank you, Gail. I know you've had some struggles around parenting your parents. It's not easy. Best thoughts to you as you make the necessary changes in order to spend more time with her.
ReplyDeleteDeep respect in the poem and what you written about her. My mother would be ninety this October. I see in your photo so much of the settings I grew up in. Really good photo. How we miss those old souls.
ReplyDeleteIn June my Mother would have been a mere 68. She died much too soon at the age of 48. I was only 19. I get so much out of your mom stories. I can feel your love for her, and her love for you so directly, it's as if I'm a part of it somehow. I find that deeply comforting. Love you, sweetheart.
ReplyDeleteJack, thank you, so much, for your thoughts. always.
ReplyDeleteMy dearest Kristy, We are so deeply connected. You Are a part of it. No doubt. And, I find That deeply comforting. Love you, too.